Driven by Doing
Winter 2017 | PRESIDENT’S REPORT | The University of Memphis Magazine
UofM Vice President for External Relations Tammy Hedges introduces a new generation of T igers to traditions at the University of Memphis. Mary James Russell, daughter of Jamie (BBA ‘02) and Lauren (BA ‘04) Russell, gets a lesson on the latest one, the Legacy UofM in front of the Administration Building.
PRESIDENT M. David Rudd VICE PRESIDENT OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS Tammy Hedges EDITOR Greg Russell (MS ‘93) DESIGN Archer Malmo PHOTOGRAPHY Trey Clark MISSION The University of Memphis is a learner-centered metropolitan research university providing high quality educational experiences while pursuing new knowledge through research, artistic expression and interdisciplinary and engaged scholarship. The University of Memphis is governed by a 10-member Board of Trustees. The Board consists of eight members appointed by the governor of Tennessee, a faculty trustee elected by the faculty and a non-voting student trustee selected by students and appointed by the Board. The University of Memphis’ name, seal, logos and Tigers are registered marks of the University of Memphis and use in any manner is prohibited unless prior written approval is obtained from the University of Memphis. The University of Memphis Magazine (USPS-662550) is published four times a year by the Division of External Relations of the University of Memphis, 303 Administration Building, Memphis, TN 38152-3370. Periodical Postage paid at Memphis, TN 38152. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Alumni & Development Office, The University of Memphis, 120 Alumni Center, Memphis, TN 38152-3760.
“Over the past three years, it has become evident the remarkable impact the University of Memphis has in the City of Memphis, the state and the nation. We are vital to the success of the City and vice versa. We are a great team with even better days ahead.” – University of Memphis President M. David Rudd
Faculty, staff and alumni gathered Sept. 15 for the official unveiling of the Legacy UofM Medallion that is located in front of the University of Memphis Administration Building. The project originated with the UofM Alumni Association four years ago with 63 donors helping to turn the idea into reality. Special thanks to all donors and to alumnus Bill Koeneman (the project’s major donor), front row, center, who provided support for the project.
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BUILDING BOLDLY
A pedestrian bridge with a “Golden Gate” vibe to it will provide the south side of campus with an iconic structure and is among several additions and renovations designed to enhance the student experience as part of a $36 million project at the University of Memphis.
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“Our campus’ master plan is built around becoming a pedestrian campus with parking on the perimeters,” said Tony Poteet, UofM assistant vice president for campus planning and design. “The land bridge really links the two parcels of land that the University is sitting on in a safe way.”
Once completed in 2019, students will be able to walk across Southern and Walker avenues and the railroad tracks on the land bridge. Two 80-foot-tall parallel pylons will angle slightly across the south edge of Southern Avenue near Echles where the bridge will begin. Ten strands of stainless
“The land bridge will provide for the safety of students going across the railroad tracks. When the University was originally built, it was out east, and since Memphis has grown, the campus has really been limited by the railroad. This will help expand that border.” - Mary Haizlip, principal in charge of management at Haizlip Studio
steel cables will fan out and down from the top of the weight-bearing towers, much like the Golden Gate Bridge. The structure will be up to 20 feet wide and 23 feet above the railroad tracks, and will connect to the Alumni Mall. The site plan creates gathering places at both
ends of the bridge, including amphitheater-type spaces. Other additions include a five-level parking garage adjacent to the land bridge as well as a pedestrian mall on what is now Echles Street between Southern and Spottswood avenues.
The University of Memphis will begin construction of a land bridge, amphitheater and parking garage in the next few months. Students will be able to cross the railroad tracks and Southern and Walker avenues on the pedestrian bridge once it is completed in 2019.
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ESTEEMED FACULTY
After a self-imposed 10-year hiatus from mainstream moviemaking, Tom Shadyac is returning to directing with a film being shot in his adopted hometown of Memphis. Shadyac, artist-in-residence at the UofM, directed comedies that earned nearly $2 billion at the worldwide box office, including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Nutty Professor and Bruce Almighty. His new film, Brian Banks, takes a more serious tone, telling a story of racial injustice. Based on a true story, it follows the life of Brian Banks, a high school football player who spent five years in prison for rape, but achieved his dream of playing in the NFL after his conviction was overturned in 2012 after his accuser retracted her story.
Banks will be played by Aldis Hodge of Straight Outta Compton and Hidden Figures. Greg Kinnear, who earned an Oscar nomination for As Good as It Gets, will play a defense lawyer fighting for Banks’ innocence. The project should be a boon to the local economy while solidifying Shadyac’s commitment to Memphis. He has taught the course “Storytelling and Life” at the UofM since 2013. Shadyac has bought a home in the city, invested in the Soulsville neighborhood near the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and plans to contribute $10 million to initiatives like youth centers and recreation centers. Students from the UofM and LeMoyne-Owen College will have jobs on the set, offering them hands-on experience with a major filmmaker, to augment a cast and crew of local and out-of-town professionals.
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University of Memphis artist-in-residence Tom Shadyac is directing his first mainstream film in more than a decade, using UofM and LeMoyneOwen student talent. His other film credits include Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Nutty Professor.
“Memphis doesn’t have the luxury of brushing aside issues of crime and poverty. That gives it a chance to reinvent itself.” - Tom Shadyac, film director and artist-in-residence at the UofM
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PURSUING INNOVATION
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“This is an amazing opportunity for me to gain professional experience with one of the world’s largest companies, and it helps me pay for my graduate degree while doing meaningful work.” - Chloe Sutton, call center supervisor and UofM master’s student
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his fall, the University of Memphis Research Foundation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, UMRF Ventures Inc., launched a unique, student-operated call center as part of an economic development initiative designed to provide real and transferable opportunities to students in the Memphis community. FedEx signed on as the venture’s first customer. Student employees are handling technical support calls from FedEx team members, including “first level” technical support, such as phone configuration and basic application and computing device troubleshooting. The center, located in the FedEx Institute of Technology, employs approximately 20 student agents from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, 365 days a year. “Our first goal as an academic institution is to prepare our students for success after graduation,” said UofM President M. David Rudd.
“We know that students who study, live and work on campus are more engaged in the life of the University. This leads them to graduate faster plus have stronger GPAs.” Robert B. Carter, executive vice president and chief information officer for FedEx Corp., said, “We have a long-standing relationship with the University and believe that this venture will benefit the students, the Memphis community and FedEx.” Tom Kadien, CEO of UMRF Ventures, added, “This is the first of many steps on a journey toward creating opportunities for more students to earn good wages in a professional environment and to become the most competitive candidates they can be in any job market. Corporations like FedEx that invest in the future workforce with innovative programs like this know that they are contributing to the long-term success of their companies.”
Opposite page: Mary Kate Watson supervises employees who are fielding technical support calls at the UMRF Ventures Inc. call center. Above, at left: The call center is led by (from left) Sherita Johnson, call center manager, and supervisors Mary Kate Watson, Kyle Lynch, Chloe Sutton and Jasmine Sankhon. At right: Robert Carter, executive vice president and CIO of FedEx Corp., speaks at the call center’s grand opening.
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NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES
Two University of Memphis students are chang ing the lives of young people in Orange Mound, Binghampton and other underserved communities of Memphis through computer science mentorship. Herve Aniglo (BS ’16) and Kareem Dasilva, a UofM computer science student, received a $10,000 award from the Google IgniteCS program. The grant provides funding and resources for college and university students to make a difference in their communities through computer science mentorship. They used the funds to host a five-week Tigers Tech Expedition for 28 middleschoolers last spring. The camp’s goal was to expose the 7th- and 8th-graders to different areas of computer science, including app development, cyber security and drone programming, inspiring them to become the next generation of technology innovators. The camp, which met on Saturdays, also introduced students to prominent professionals from local technology companies. Aniglo and Dasilva presented the camp in a partnership between CodeCrew, a local nonprofit, and the UofM Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) student chapter. CodeCrew’s mission is to help students from underserved communities become tech innovators through the use of diverse curriculums that teach them how to code. The ACM is the world’s largest professional society for computer science. “Tigers Tech Expedition greatly achieved its objective of exposing kids from Orange Mound, Binghampton and other neighborhoods to 21st century skills that will benefit them both today and in the future,” said Meka Egwuekwe, CodeCrew’s founder and director. “Through convincing Google to support this great program, Herve Aniglo has demonstrated the kind of bold initiative that kids need to be the competitive, productive job producers Memphis’ future will depend on.”
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“It’s important to show children different career fields, especially one that is always changing and growing. Technology is always advancing, and it’s best to prepare the future generations for those changes.” - Herve Aniglo, host of Tigers Tech Expedition
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CREATING A CULTURE OF CHAMPIONS
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s the starting point guard on then-Memphis State University’s much-celebrated 1973 basketball team, Bill Laurie was known for quick decisions and smart court play that helped vault the Tigers into the NCAA championship game against UCLA. Almost 45 years later, he and his family are again leaving an indelible mark on the local sports scene: their $10 million gift to the UofM has led to the opening of the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center on the Park Avenue campus. The facility is now the primary home of the men’s basketball program and sets the standard for other such facilities across the country. “We are proud to partner with the Laurie-Walton family and all of our donors to make this dream a reality. The University of Memphis is driven by doing, and this facility proves beyond a shadow of
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a doubt that this University is moving forward and upward,” said President Dr. M. David Rudd. The building includes the normal practice facility amenities. What sets the Laurie-Walton Family Basketball Center apart from its predecessors, though, is the commitment to donor and VIP cultivation, a Hall of Traditions, academic support for multiple teams, state-of-the-art training facilities and a practice court that is significantly larger than the normal size. “The Laurie-Walton family Basketball Center is truly the next generation of facilities as it bridges the rich history of the Memphis men’s basketball program to our present and future success,” said Athletic Director Tom Bowen. “I am deeply humbled by the generosity of our donors, and especially the Laurie-Walton family.”
“The UofM and its proud athletics tradition played an extremely important role in shaping our lives. We are honored and gratified to play a role in support of the institution’s commitment to help guide current and future student-athletes toward their ultimate goals in life.” - Bill and Nancy Laurie
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TRANSFORMING LIVES
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urious high school students who wonder what a chemist, physicist, computer scientist or psychologist actually does may find their answers in a unique University of Memphis outreach program designed to provide rising high school juniors and seniors firsthand experience of life as a scientist. MemphisCRESH (College Research Experience for Students in High School) is a six-week intensive summer program that allows students to work on a research project while being supervised by a University faculty member and collaborating with undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The program, directed by physics professor Firouzeh Sabri, just finished its fifth year. “What is wonderful for the University is that we have a 55 percent retention rate—many of the high school students who come through the program end up here in
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science-based and other fields,” Dr. Sabri said. “The program is advancing young women into science-based careers where men currently greatly outnumber women.” “This program encourages the next generation to revive the creativity that intense note-taking and testing throws to the curb,” said participant Anne Raheem. “CRESH pushed me to understand, not memorize; to pursue, not give up; and to be the game changer, not stay on the sidelines. Its impact on me made me realize that I had limitless ability, and that I was capable of achieving whatever I want in life.” Added fellow participant Tony Chen, “I had never expected to work in computational physics, but UofM professor Dr. (Mohamed) Laradji made sure that I understood and accomplished everything I was assigned.” To learn more, visit www.memphis.edu/cresh.
A unique summer program at the University of Memphis exposes high school students to science-based careers and is helping to grow the next generation of high-level chemists, physicists, mathematicians and computer scientists. A large percentage of the participants later become UofM students.
“It was so rewarding to see weeks of intensive work in a lab come to fruition and to make significant findings that can potentially advance the field of science.� - Tony Chen, MemphisCRESH participant
SERVING STUDENTS ON A GLOBAL SCALE
The University of Memphis has nearly 670 international students from 55 countries—many from India, China, Canada and Bangladesh. Now the UofM has a new centralized office to serve these students. In an effort to boost the global exposure of its students, the University launched an integrated one-stop service center in February to encourage international students to study in the United States. The new Center for International Education Services (CIES) is home to the UofM Study Abroad Office, the Intensive English for Internationals program and International Student Services Office. The new Center will make the University a more attractive option for international students, said Rebecca Laumann, who is directing the CIES. “It will allow us to recruit more international students to Memphis from abroad or by transfer from other U.S. institutions,” she said. In addition to recruiting, goals include providing expert advising on student visa issues, creating internationalization initiatives, supporting international research and collaboration, and promoting cultural awareness through innovative programming. Offices serving international students previously were housed in five different buildings.
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“Studying abroad offers several opportunities, but my favorite part was traveling. Each time I took a bus, train or plane, I felt a sense of wonder and excitement. There was no better feeling than knowing that each time I traveled, I would be stepping in a new land and getting to learn about a new culture.” - Kenny Myers, senior - Kenny Myers, MIS major who studied last spring at Liverpool Hope University
The CIES, located in the Panhellenic Building, serves the needs of the University’s international community and prepares students to become global citizens while enhancing efforts to expand its national and international reach. By consolidating these services, the Center is providing a more welcoming environment for international students and scholars and helps them engage with other students, faculty and staff.
Students celebrate the grand opening of the CIES, which integrates the Study Abroad Office, the Intensive English for Internationals program and the International Student Services Office. Opposite page: Kenny Myers had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe while studying at Liverpool Hope University last spring.
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EXTENDING OUR REACH
There’s more than a little bit of rock and roll going on in Jackson, Tenn., thanks to a University of Memphis deg ree prog ram that affords students oppor tunities in the music industry.
Courses include “Recording Studio Techniques and Practices,” “Songwriting,” “History of Rock and Roll” and “Music Licensing and Publishing.” Students must also complete an internship. “Those are with entertainment-focused businesses throughout the state,” Tubbs said.
“We wanted to offer something unique at the Lambuth Campus,” said Jeremy Tubbs, director of the Entertainment Music Industry (EMI) degree program at Lambuth. “The degree is a Bachelor of Professional Studies and is offered through the University College. Our program is similar to a commercial music degree.”
Tubbs notes that students learn on equipment and facilities similar to what professionals use, including a state-of-the-art recording studio, music laboratory, EMI classroom and rehearsal space and a 300-seat auditorium for live performances.
Tubbs said students focus on three areas of study: music production/technology; business; and general music studies. Some of the music courses in the program are only offered at the Lambuth Campus, where students can obtain the full degree.
The program includes several distinguished music professors, including Tubbs, who has gained international recognition for his work with Willy Pete, a rock band that makes frequent tours to American military bases in Europe to support U.S. troops. Tubbs and the group have played for tens of thousands of soldiers throughout the world.
Students Dave Banks and Joe Kyle on guitar and Audrey Geisel playing solo at the UofM Lambuth spring concert. Opposite page: UofM Lambuth student Josh Shaw performs as part of Lambuth’s music education spring concert in Jackson, Tenn. (Photos by Kenneth Cummings)
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“The Music and Entertainment program is unique in that students learn about music industry and business while at the same time perfecting their musical abilities and talents.” - Dr. Niles Reddick, vice provost of UofM Lambuth
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GROWING IDEAS
You would never think a pair of budding
They launched their business making
young entrepreneurs (they’re just 19 and
pottery in a storage unit for eight months,
20) would experience a “midlife crisis,” but
then successfully ran a pop-up pottery shop
that’s what happened. UofM students Micah
at Minglewood Hall this summer. UofM
Dempsey and Christopher Galbreath are
professor Brian Janz, who took a ceramics
opening Belltower Artisans, a coffee shop/
class and became a studio member,
pottery studio this fall on the Highland Strip
connected Dempsey and Galbreath with
near the UofM campus.
Mike Hoffmeyer, director of the Crews
The two became friends at Harding Academy before pursuing a college education. “We joked in ceramics class in high school that we would open up a coffee shop and pottery studio when we got bored with corporate jobs and
Opposite page: Micah Dempsey, left, and Christopher Galbreath in front of their start-up coffee shop and ceramics studio on the Highland Strip, scheduled to open later this fall. (Photo by Trey Clark)
hit a midlife crisis,” said Dempsey.
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“They intended to drop out of school, but we helped them find a suitable program here at the UofM so that they could run their business and still work toward a degree.” - Mike Hoffmeyer, director of the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship, on the newest Crews Center Fellows
Center for Entrepreneurship. “The Crews Center is the reason we are at the UofM, without a doubt,” Dempsey said. “We are now Fellows at the Crews Center, which gives us scholarship money and a great network and resources.” Dempsey and Galbreath did an exhausting amount of research and formulated a detailed business plan before pitching the idea. “The leap we are making now in transitioning to a permanent location is scary because it’s on a huge scale now,” Galbreath said, “but seeing the success we had this summer and the support we have from those around us makes it a leap we are super excited to make.” The studio will also offer ceramics classes for all skill levels. The partners made much of what’s inside, including coffee tables and shelves. They won’t be making the coffee, though. “Neither of us are great baristas; however, we’ve hired baristas with lots of experience,” declared Galbreath.
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CREATING PARTNERSHIPS
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he University of Memphis Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration is collaborating with ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to create new courses and course content focused on philanthropy and nonprofit administration. The University also is working to identify internship opportunities, and will bring student groups to the headquarters of ALSAC, located on the campus of St. Jude, to learn more about the organization and how it operates. The UofM currently offers a graduate certificate in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. “This partnership will allow us to move to the next level,” said UofM President M. David Rudd. “This is a great opportunity for the department and the University to increase our national and international presences, provide online learning opportunities for the philanthropy and nonprofit sector, and provide our students with
opportunities to learn from and work with a world-class organization. The Public and Nonprofit Administration MPA and graduate certificates have an established reputation in Memphis and throughout the Mid-South, and we will continue to engage and serve our local government and nonprofit communities.” Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC, said, “It is especially imperative for us to amplify initiatives like these in our local community, and I’m confident that by working with a partner like the University of Memphis, we will reach new and important audiences around the world.” “We’re delighted to welcome such an impactful program to the already robust UofM Global portfolio,” said Dr. Richard Irwin, UofM vice provost for Academic Innovation and Support Services. “I am confident this program will attract interest from students around the world.”
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“The spirit of education and lifelong learning is one ALSAC and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have always held in high esteem, and we will continue to nurture, grow and support it.” - Richard C. Shadyac Jr., president and CEO of ALSAC
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The University of Memphis is starting a new tradition with its UofM Legacy Medallion that is located in front of the Administration Building. UofM President M. David Rudd, William Koeneman, the major supporter of the project, and UofM Vice President for External Relations and Executive Director of the Alumni Association Tammy Hedges touch the medallion for good luck.
ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION
ON THE COVER
The University of Memphis Magazine’s
Tens of thousands of faculty, staff
President’s Report is published
and students have crossed the
annually. It highlights the UofM’s
steps leading into the University of
research, community involvement,
Memphis’ Administration Building
student programs and activities, capital
since its construction in 1911-1912.
campaigns and other noteworthy news
Along with the President’s House
and achievements. The UofM has made
and Mynders Hall, it was one of the
great strides in becoming one of the
three original buildings on campus.
nation’s top urban research institutions
The fourth floor served as a men’s
in recent years. It is producing the
dormitory until Scates Hall was built
next generation of entrepreneurs by
in 1923. A Legacy UofM Medallion
providing unrivaled opportunities
was recently placed near the front of
for aspiring innovators. Meanwhile,
the building. (Photo by Trey Clark)
our renowned Honors College and Emerging Leaders Program are generating the top leaders of tomorrow. The future of the UofM has never looked brighter.
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